Apple Unveils M6 14-Inch MacBook Pro at the Same $1,999 Starting Price

Apple on Oct. 27 announced a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro built around the new M6 chip, according to MacRumors. The laptop starts at $1,999, opens for preorder on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and goes on sale Friday, Nov. 6.

The update centers on the processor and wireless features. Apple says the design and most other specifications are unchanged from the M5 model, MacRumors reported.

What is new inside the M6 MacBook Pro

The M6 has a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, up from 10 cores each in the M5, according to MacRumors. The new CPU is split into 2 super cores, 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. The M5 used 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores.

Apple claims the GPU delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics and up to 25 percent faster AI workloads than the M5. Macworld reported that the chip moves to a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, a first for Apple's M-series chips.

The Neural Engine, Apple's AI hardware, goes from 16 cores to a dual 16-core design with 32 total cores. Apple also added Neural Accelerators to the GPU. The company pitched the changes as a boost for Apple Intelligence features and for running large language models locally on the device.

Memory bandwidth rises from 153GB/s to 170GB/s, but only on models with 24GB or 32GB of memory, MacRumors said.

Connectivity and display changes

The laptop adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 through Apple's N1 wireless chip. Macworld noted that these replace Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the M5 model. The machine can also drive dual external 4K displays at up to 165Hz, up from 144Hz, according to MacRumors.

Storage still starts at 1TB. Apple dropped the 512GB configuration in March, MacRumors reported.

Why it matters for buyers

The $1,999 starting price matches what Mashable lists as the current M5 model's starting price, which came after a recent increase. Mashable said Apple raised MacBook prices once this year amid a global memory shortage. For shoppers, that means the M6 brings a faster chip and newer wireless standards without a higher entry price.

Availability may be a different matter. Macworld reported that ongoing memory and storage chip shortages could still affect supply or delivery times, and that these constraints have already contributed to price increases across Apple's Mac lineup.

The M6 model also does not come with M6 Pro or M6 Max versions. Macworld said Apple currently sells the M5 Pro and M5 Max in the 14-inch and 16-inch models. For comparison, Mashable lists the M5 Pro starting at $2,499 for the 14-inch size and $2,999 for the 16-inch.

How it fits with the other MacBook Pro rumors

Apple has invited journalists to a "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, according to Mashable and Macworld. Both outlets say that event is expected to feature a touchscreen MacBook Pro with an OLED display, which would be a first for Apple's laptops. Mashable cited Bloomberg's Mark Gurman as reporting that the new devices will target creative professionals in video production, photo editing and music production.

Macworld, also citing Gurman's reporting, said the redesigned models are expected to use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. It added that Apple is reportedly moving up the M7 generation, with M7 Pro and M7 Max models expected in fall 2027. These are reports, not Apple announcements. Apple has not detailed the touchscreen models.

What happens next

• Oct. 28: preorders for the M6 14-inch MacBook Pro open, and Apple holds its "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles.
• Nov. 6: the M6 14-inch MacBook Pro goes on sale.

Around Prague, based on reporting by Macworld, Mashable, MacRumors